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Story: The Hue of Two |
 The Art of The Setlist by Blake Cooper When getting ready for a gig, something a lot of musicians don't even think about is the setlist (I've actually know quite a few bands to not use setilsts and just go with the flow...which can be good or bad). But in reality it's a pretty useful tool in getting the crowd's attention. Just imagine: the order of the songs you play could decide what the crowd thinks of you. And here are a few tried and true rules to follow to keep the crowd on the same page as you. Rule #1: Start Strong, End Strong. One thing you want to make sure happens is that the crowd's attention is grabbed immediately, and starting with a fast, loud song can do that. It's a great way to do it, but it's not terribly original, but there's ways around that: start with a fast intro into a slow song, or maybe start with a song that starts quietly and builds (and builds, and builds). Same thing with the ending, only the opposite is happening; instead of getting the crowds attention, you are giving them a proper send-off, giving them something to remember. Either way, it's garunteed to keep people talking even after the set is over. Rule #2: Once you've got their attention, keep it. So you've got them in the palm of your hand with the opener, and you want to keep them there. Well, a pretty sure-fire way to screw that up is for the rest of the set to lack variety. If you open with a fast song, play ten slow songs, then a fast closer, people will be so far gone by the end that they won't care anymore. The best way to keep them there is with variety. After the first song, keep it strong, and then switch to a slow song or even two, and then hit them again. Keep up some form of pattern like this until the end, that way the set is coherent enough to stay with, but jolting enough to keep their attention. (Note: if you're not a 'variety' band (i.e. you only play death metal), then the best way to do it is to keep the set going. No long breaks between songs, just keep the flow moving). Rule #3: Welcome surprises. A setlist isn't written in stone, and if the mood takes you, feel free to sway. Play a cover, take a request, jam out a little, whatever. The crowd can feel the spontaneous feel that you're feeling as well, and chances are, they're having just as much fun as you are. Rule #4: Less talking, more playing. If possible, try to keep the time in between songs to a minimum. Very few bands are heralded for their witty banter between songs. So just tune up, say a few words, and keep going. A three minute song followed by a five minute break can really turn people off. The songs get the energy up, and the songs can keep the energy up. And the more the energy builds, the bigger the payoff (I'll spare you the sex analogy here). Rule #5: Have fun. This isn't necessarily a setlist rule, but it can be. Get creative. Just because these rules work don't mean there are exceptions. Hell, the Pixies used to play their sets alphabetically. The point is, it doesn't matter what the set looks like, as long as you're having fun. And chances are, if you are having fun, they are having fun. Copyright (C) 2005 Quadraphonic. |